1 k$ T J. R. p% q& ~ & ^- B9 v% j. c8 w8 j $ k! C& ]: B# X5 W0 o$ W2 eWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 2 w8 u* z0 i6 W# N- B( X: g+ A0 _
Leeches have been used in medicine for thousands of years. By attaching themselves to the body, and sucking blood from a patient, they were thought to bring health benefits." \$ w0 ` _. H$ a- N; R/ Q1 `
( o9 o) D; q! {6 z& {: u
The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.人在德国 社区* z, q: D% m* b
rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de" W/ R4 e+ h/ V* S
That idea fell out of fashion during the 20th century, with the discovery of modern drugs. But today, as interest in traditional medicine grows, they are making a comeback - particularly in the former Soviet State of Georgia. 2 h& j$ Q" H/ O* T n4 b 9 |( J/ f6 ^7 f" Z. K/ s3 o人在德国 社区Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.